 Photo by Inbal Malca on Unsplash This Week In the E-Pistle, You Will Find...
This Week's Service: First Sunday After Christmas - Home By Another Way Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash After the celebration of Christmas, it’s amazing how quickly life gets back to some semblance of normal. Wrapping paper is tossed out. Lights and ornaments are taken down and carefully stored for another year. Live White Pines, Balsam Firs, and Frasers are decluttered and put on the curb to be taken to their final resting place. Christmas is over and it’s time to get back to our routines. Or is it? This Sunday the Magi (aka Wisemen) show up. Traditionally they appear on Epiphany Sunday, which is January 4, but we’re going to highlight them for two Sundays, along with an insecure despot named Herod. This Sunday’s reflection is entitled: Home By Another Way. Some questions to ponder: What does going home mean to you? What do you need to change? What will never be the same again? Hope you will join either on-site or on-line. Please join us on Sunday at 10 am in our Sanctuary, or online, live on our Youtube Channel. Message: Rev. Dan Plasman Music: Peter Black, Jeff Spangler, Lauri Donaldson 
Last Week's Service: Fourth Sunday of Advent - Who Is This Joseph Character? Photo by Ayrus Hill on Unsplash Joseph, the father of Jesus, married to Jesus' mother Mary, is as unlikely a character as Mary in the story of Jesus' birth. Both are unwittingly compelled into this drama that includes a revolutionary baby, shepherds who receive a message from angels, and outsiders who bring gifts for a king, among other things. Of Joseph we could say he was; breaker of rules, protector of the vulnerable, dreamer of dreams, namer of babies, unspeaking hero, deeply feeling man. What does his journey teach us about our journey to the celebration of the birth of Jesus in this season? Jody and Dan's Office Hours This Week
Silent Retreats, In a frantic, noisy world... |
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Second Sundays are a hit! Folks who stay for the extended coffee hour to catch up and for the delicious eats are not disappointed! In January the second Sunday is our semi-annual Congregational Meeting so we will not be eating together that day. Watch for details for our next Sunday luncheon!
Listening Ear: Do You Need to Be Heard?
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Our Listening Ear service has been a great help to our congregation during a tumultuous time, and so, after a successful trial period, this highly trained team of empathic folks -- Paul Burdick, Mike Valdez, Pat Denner, and Doug Sipsma -- will be continuing the service. Their premise is, everyone goes through rough patches in life. Sometimes stress can feel overwhelming. Talking to a caring human helps in so many, sometimes immeasurable, sometimes mystical ways. Our listeners are available at the Retreat House on Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm.
Card Ministry
Photo by Immo Wegman on Unsplash
Do you love receiving cards in the mail when you're sick, recovering from surgery, have a birthday or anniversary, or need a reminder that you're being prayed for? Maybe sending cards to folks in those situations is a way you could bring a smile to someone's day! If you are willing to send a card on behalf of DUCC for members' birthdays or anniversaries, for healing or prayers, for one month, please contact Pastor Dan or Pastor Jody. If you have cards that you aren't using that would be appropriate for such occasions, please drop them off at the office for our use. A couple minutes to let someone know they are thought of, a quick trip to the post office, that's all it takes to bring a smile!
Policy Updates - Require a Vote on January 11
Please Read before Congregational Meeting
We have updated multiple policies which required a congregational vote to be adopted.
Please read and review prior to the congregational meeting on January 11th.
Please read and review prior to the congregational meeting on January 11th.
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Mid-Year Congregational Meeting
January 11, after Sunday Service
Join us this Sunday January 11, 2026 after the morning service for our annual Congregational Meeting to kick-off the New Year. We will gather as a Congregation to review the past year and look forward to the future. Please plan to join us.
Recruiting Video Technician - Interested in Joining the AV Team?
Our Sunday morning AV team needs a few more hands on the camera to make the magic happen. We are seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our tech crew behind the camera creating the livestream. No prior experience is necessary; we embrace newcomers with open arms and are fully committed to training. If you have a willingness to learn the ropes, a passion for supporting the service behind the scenes, and are available on Sunday mornings, you could be the perfect fit for our collaborative and welcoming AV team.
Taking Pictures at DUCC Event?
Photo by Alexey Demidov on Unsplash
Want people to know about the fun we have, the meaningful events we provide, the community you love? Share your photos! After a DUCC event, text appropriate photos to Greggie Gerrans @ 616-218-9679
Prayer Requests
Adelle Van Daalen and the Family of Jay Van Daalen; Charlene Burdick (Paul Burdick's mother); Orie Hawkes; Elinor Hite (Virginia Stuart’s sister); Dave Lawson; Christine Kerney; Dan McGavin and Family of Carol Brown; Rev. Marchiene Rienstra Family; Ann and Jim Hopkins; Ruth Fahlstrom (Tom Fahlstrom’s daughter); Mary Westenbroek; Max Matteson; Eric Cooley (Jo Cooley's brother); Ian Blumer (Claire Blumer's nephew); James "Jimmie" Perkaus and Family (family of Claire Blumer); En Vivo UCC
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
Birthday's & Anniversary's This Week
BIRTHDAYS
December 29: Todd L. Smith
December 30: Scott Bryers, Tom Fahlstrom
December 31: Jan DeVries
ANNIVERSARIES
December 28: Sarah Donovan
December 29: Nicole & Doug LaCroix
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
* If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.*
BIRTHDAYS
December 29: Todd L. Smith
December 30: Scott Bryers, Tom Fahlstrom
December 31: Jan DeVries
ANNIVERSARIES
December 28: Sarah Donovan
December 29: Nicole & Doug LaCroix
Birthday and Anniversary cards are a great way we can reach out to one another. If you wish to mail a card to one of our church members, addresses can be found in our Church Directory.
* If you have had any changes in your information, please know you can go to the Directory and update yourself, or contact Claire to change/update.*
New "easy" Options to Change Your Contribution to DUCC
Photo by Micheile on Unsplash
New (Easy) options to change your current contribution to DUCC
In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.
In response to input we have received from members and friends, we are offering new ways to change your contributions.
- You can e-mail Bill Briggs for information regarding your current contribution amount and/or request that your current contribution be changed.
- There are now forms and envelopes on the table just inside the door of the Friendship Hall that can be completed and placed in the collection plate to request changes. We will be happy to take care of it for you!
- You can use the simple fillable form below and forward to Bill Briggs.
| Douglas UCC Contribution Change Form |
Give by Text Message
Please, consider giving online. To donate by text, open a new text message on your mobile phone, type 844-931-2849 in the “To” field, and in the message body, type only the dollar amount of your gift (for example, 50 for a $50 donation). Then press Send. You’ll receive a message confirming your donation.
Christmas Fund Giving
The Christmas Fund, one of the United Church of Christ 5 for 5 offerings, has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.
United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity! Our care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Our Outreach funds match any offerings you make to send to the UCC for distribution to those who are needy.
Our offering for the Christmas Fund will be received throughout the Sundays of December. Please put your donation in an envelope marked Christmas Fund and place it in the offering plate or drop it at the office.
United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity! Our care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Our Outreach funds match any offerings you make to send to the UCC for distribution to those who are needy.
Our offering for the Christmas Fund will be received throughout the Sundays of December. Please put your donation in an envelope marked Christmas Fund and place it in the offering plate or drop it at the office.
Church Calendar
Photo by Dari lli on Unsplash
UNIITED CHURCH OF CHRIST NEWS
Prayer Circle for All Churches
Photo by Martin Bennie on Unsplash
The Grand West Association Council is continuing their covenantal prayer circle for all our churches. This is one of the Councils attempts to better connect in our region as a faithful community. The two year prayer circle includes our 22 UCC churches, and also UCOM and the Michigan conference staff.
The "church of the month" for December is En Vivo UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
The "church of the month" for December is En Vivo UCC.
Thank you for keeping them in our prayers.
CLASSES
First of the Financial Literacy Series was Enlightening and Fun! Next One January 7!
On Thursday 11/5, eighteen people shared an interesting and enlightening evening with our own Wayne Titus. Wayne shared his 30 years of financial experience as he laid out the next five subject-specific events to be held on the first Wednesdays -
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
January through June (not April). Next session is on January 7, 2026.
It’s not too late to join in and become financially wiser! Invite a friend, if you like.
Sign up for one or all of them in the Friendship Hall so Wayne can send you preparatory information.
Soul Collage January 10, Step Into the New Year with Soul Collage
The next Soul Collage sessions with our friend and masterful teacher, Ruth Zwald, are scheduled for the Friendship Hall January 10. This artful, soul-honoring class will set you exploring and making and asking your own wisdom sources for guidance. It's always a surprising and stilling journey with Rev. Ruth! To sign up, follow the registration instructions in the poster above. You must register to participate.
Qigong Paused until 2026 as Kat Recover
Photo by Leonie Clough on Unsplash
Community Events
Men's Coffee and Conversation
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